Retractable covering for architectural openings having a pair of flexible parallel sheets at least partially integrally connected with vanes

Abstract

A retractable covering in accordance with the present invention includes a head rail with a horizontally disposed roller and a pair of depending sheets from the roller which form part of a fabric which can be wrapped around the roller or unwrapped from the roller when moving the covering between retracted and extended positions. The sheets can also be moved with the roller between a closed position wherein they are in contiguous relationship and an open position wherein they are separated while remaining in parallel relationship. A plurality of cut-out vanes are formed in one sheet having a free edge thereof secured as with adhesive or the like to the other sheet. Accordingly, when the sheets are in the closed contiguous relationship, the vanes which are integral with one sheet become coplanar therewith but when the sheets are separated the vanes pivot to open a passage through the sheet from which they were cut to permit the passage of vision and light.

1. A retractable covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination:
 a flexible fabric including a first sheet and a second sheet parallel to said first sheet, only said second sheet having at least one vane cut therefrom along a discontinuous cut line so as to define an integral hinge along which said vane can be pivoted relative to said second sheet, said vane including a free edge secured to said first sheet, and 
 an operating system supporting said fabric and being operative to move said first and second sheets toward and away from each other such that said vane can be pivoted about said integral hinge as said first and second sheets are moved toward and away from each other. 
 
   
   
     2. The covering of  claim 1  wherein said first sheet is translucent. 
   
   
     3. The covering of  claim 1  wherein said integral hinge is along a top edge of said vane. 
   
   
     4. The covering of  claim 1  wherein said vane is substantially circular in configuration. 
   
   
     5. The covering of  claim 1  wherein said vane is substantially quadrangular in configuration. 
   
   
     6. The covering of  claim 1  wherein said vane is substantially trapezoidal in configuration. 
   
   
     7. The covering of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of said vanes. 
   
   
     8. The covering of  claim 7  wherein said vanes are arranged in vertical columns. 
   
   
     9. The covering of  claim 8  wherein said vanes are arranged in horizontal rows. 
   
   
     10. The covering of  claim 1  wherein said operating system includes a roller about which said fabric can be wrapped and unwrapped when moving the sheets toward and away from each other. 
   
   
     11. The covering of  claim 10  wherein said first and second sheets have top edges secured to said roller at different locations along the perimeter of said roller such that pivotal movement of said roller shifts said sheets in opposite vertical directions and horizontally toward and away from each other.